Do you think it's beneficial to martial arts training? Do you find it practical to learn?

From a scientific viewpoint, it is very good for health. Lots of research to back this up - better circulation, longevity, etc.

For martial arts? I'm not sure, maybe Sifu Davis will give his opinion, as he does a lot of wing chun chi sau, which I'm not sure if it has a strong emphasis on chi, but it would seem like it.

Wei Lin

One very simple definition of chi is breath, or energy! Chi sao, or "energy hands" is just one of many drills used to develop an understanding the energies that exist within a single offensive/defensive movement or exchange of movements. Proper breathing should be emphasized in everything that you do in training. This will help with developing your full understanding of chi.

I DO NOT believe that chi is some mystical/magical garbage! I am not into such things, nor do I believe in them! Chi is simply the energy that flows through the body ... that's all!

Keep Blasting!
Sifu Lamar M. Davis II
Senior Instructor
Hardcore Jeet Kune Do
Sifu@HardcoreJKD.com
JKD@windstream.net
http://www.HardcoreJKD.com
Phone (205) 296-7070 (Incoming Only)

"Hit Hard, Hit Fast, Hit First - ALWAYS!"

"The REAL future of Jeet Kune Do belongs to US, the few, the proud, the HARDCORE! Now, what are we going to do with it?" _ Sifu Lamar M. Davis II

Chi is interesting. I read up on it some on wikipedia, and it seems like a lot of people are spelling it "qi".
Chi, or the concept of Chi has evolved over time. At first it was believed a body must be buried or it will release bad Chi. The way chi is seen today came about at about the time of Confusius. Then Taoism sunk in there, with good chi/bad chi, yin and yang.
I believe personally that we all have a life force,(spirit) but where/who it emanates from is a matter of major conjecture. I don't believe in it for it's own sake, or that it can necessarily be harnessed or directed.
But who knows? Don't want to discount as ignorant superstition or go nuts seeking it like Falun Gung.

the reason that it is sometimes spelled qi is because of this. a while ago, whenever writers tried to spell Chinese words in English, they would just sound out the Chinese word and do their own spelling, hence words like "chi" or "tao". later, the Chinese government made a set of official spellings to Chinese words (mandarin) called "pin yin". now chi becomes qi and tao becomes dao.

Wei Lin

I was wondering what the "pin yin" thing meant. On wikipedia it shows a lot of JKD terminology spelled out in pinyin. From what I understand all our terminology use the Cantonese pronounciation, since Bruce spoke Cantonese. Just out of curiousity, can you speak Mandarin? From what I understand Cantonese is the most spoken dialect in the U.S. Probably in China as well, though I know Mandarin is the official language of the government.

Hello Eric

Yes, I speak Mandarin. I understand a tad of Cantonese - my father is Cantonese.

In China, Mandarin is the most spoken language.

And it has become more widespread since Hong Kong was given back to China, so even the Hong Kong people, (who used to speak only Cantonese) now have to learn Mandarin as well to function in society.

As far as in the U.S. goes, I have no idea, but I know many Mandarin speakers. So if you come across a Chinese person in the U.S. it would not be surprising if they spoke Mandarin.

And yeah, I wish I was more fluent in Cantonese so the JKD terminology would come easier.

Wei Lin

Maybe it's good to know the mandarin equivalent of the terminology. Maybe you could take it Beijing! Seriously though, there's a lot of money there now, and the people really hunger for stuff like JKD over there. I think during the "cultural revolution" many martial arts practioners fled to Hong Kong and abroad. I think they're more open to that kind of the thing now.

Eric

That's true, I do believe there's a lot of money there, and a successful JKD business could be opened. However, I'd want the first JKD representative over there to be of a high skill level, so if I were to do it, I'd wait until I was at a very proficient level.

Recently a guy went over and brought over Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and they are starting to hold mma competitions too.

I think they would love JKD as most Chinese people love Bruce Lee.

Haha - maybe you, or some other competent JKD practitioner should learn some Mandarin and go teach over there.

Wei Lin

Well I'm no teacher, and I've been taking classes with Sifu for only a little more than three years, so I don't think I could be a very good representative of JKD. If Bruce could see me in action, he would probably shake his head and tell me to get a bodyguard or lead a less aggressive life. (like on Longstreet).
Don't know how old you are but, maybe you could really take it up seriously and take it there. You'd definitely better be good, because I'd imagined you'd get challenged just about every day!
That might make a good modern kung fu movie.... After studying diligently day and night for years, you could go to Beijing and set up a kwoon in an abandoned temple, and wait for them to come- the challengers that is- local roughnecks, ancient buddhist monks, evil taoist priests, and corrupt oficials.
They would all challenge you, but in the end would have to kow-tow to you. "Your kung-fu is strong!" they'll all proclaim after you defeat them. BRUCE LEE'S ART WILL LIVE ON! Then in the sequel you can be murdered by the evil Wong Fu. Then your students could freak out and exact a long and action-packed revenge. I know I'm getting carried away.

Haha. Funny post man.

Yeah if I ever get good I would consider going to Beijing.

Wei Lin

If you do go there Wei Lin, let us know. Maybe by then I'll be more competent. Beijing is a city I've wanted to go to for a long time. It was the capital of the world at one time (when it was Khanbalik). The history there would be unbelievable, and I love Mandarin cuisine, like steamed buns. I'll pass on the 1000 year old eggs though.
I wish you luck on that. It's not so unrealistic either. China is opening up more and more now.
There are probably martial arts that have held out there that have never been seen in the West. From what I understand, our kicks in JKD come from a Northern style.